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COPYRIGHT DEPGSiT 






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liis Sarroundinas in the Sierras. 



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X'ali'ahlk Information Concerning 



NATclR&S ^ SANMRlclM 









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And its surroundings in the Sierras — Lakes Tahoe, Donner, 
Webber, Independence and Pyramid. 



Journal Print, Reno, Nevada. 



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PUBLISHKD BY THE WESTliRN 



||||^.|^jPl^j|U|jyj| ^^il^l^L^ 



Rev. T. AIagill President. 

W. L. Knox Secretary. 

Hon. J. N. Evans Treasurer. 



DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 

Hon. \V. Webster, Rev. T. P. Bradshaw, 

Hon. J. X. Evans, Hon. \V. E. Knox, 

Re\i. !•. Mag-ill. 



Any fiirtJier information desired cojicerning Nevada s resources 
climate, etc., will be cheerfully furnished on application to the 
Secretary. 

JV. L. KNOX, Reno, Nevada. 



- 'y v;': 






BIRDS EYE VIEW OF RENO NEVADA 



j^nio, Psjcracla, # 






AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.'^.^ 




By REV. T. MAGILL. 




is situated in latitude 39 deg., 31 
niin. ; longitude 119 deg., 49 min., and is one of the 
7^ flourishing towns on that great highway- between 
"r the East and the West, the Central Pacific Railroad, 
hence easy of access from all parts of the United States. It is 
located in the picturesque and charming vallej- of the Truckee, 
or, as it is usuall}- called, the meadow'S of the Truckee, for at 
this point the valley through which the river flows widens 
out, and extends in a southerly direction ten or twelve miles, 
the whole of which is dotted with alfala and grain fields, 
interspersed with meadows covered with native grasses. 
Among the rich and varied landscapes to be found along 
the eastern base of the Sierras, for scenic beauty this portion 
of the valley- of the Truckee 1^ unsurpassed. It is flanked on 
the north and east and south by gently undulating mountains, 
and on the w^est by a spur of the great Sierra Nevada range, 
which slopes back gradually until it attains a height of more 
than three thousand feet above the valley. At the southern 
extremity of this spur, some fifteen miles distant from Reno, 
Mount Rose rises up, in all its lofty majesty and splendor, to 
a height of nearly eleven thousand feet above the level of the 
sea. On the north side of the valley, or rather at its north- 
western extremity, stands Pea vine mountain, forming a part 



of another spur of the main range, which runs in a northwest- 
erl}- direction into California. This mountain, while rising to 
a height of nearly four thousand feet above the surrounding 
country, is not precipitous, and its summit maj' be easily 
reached, either on foot or on horseback. The altitude of 
Reno is a little over four thousand five hundred feet above sea 
level. The portion of the valley on which it is built slopes 
gently downward from west to east, as does indeed the whole 
valley, insuring perfect drainage. The Truckee river, on 
whose banks Reno is built, is a dashing mountain stream, 
having its source in the everlasting snows of the upper 
vSierras, whose crystal waters flow past all the year to their 
destination in Lake Pyramid, about thirty miles distant. But 
it is not chiefly to the scenery which Reno and its surround- 
ings present that the writer desires to call attention, 
although this, for grandeur and beauty, may w^ell challenge 
comparison with the sublime, both of Europe and other por- 
tions of America, but rather to our matchless climate, a pure, 
dry atmosphere, almost continuous days of sunshine through 
Winter and Summer, together with an equable temperature, 
that render this portion of Nevada for those afflicted with pul- 
monary disease, one of the most desirable that can be found, 
and while it is not his purpose to present in detail 
other than the climatic advantages to be derived from a resi- 
dence in Reno, he will briefly- notice later its business and 
social attractions, also its sapeiior educational advantages, 
which are freel}' offered to all. 



\H0 SHOULD COME to Reno? is a question often 
asked and one which the writer will proceed to 
answer. The most eminent physicians of both Europe 
and America unite in recommending for phthisis in its 
earlier, also in its second stage, if it be not accom- 
panied with rapid disintegration, a moderate altitude and 



— 5— 

a pure, dry atmosphere. It is well known by medical 
men that moist air nourishes the growth of tubercle, while 
pure, dry air tends to destroy it; hence, climatic treatment 
under the latter condition assists nature in checking the 
progress of the disease. At Reno will be found all the condi- 
tions favorable to recovery — a pure dry atmospere, an equable 
temperature. Summers that are never excessively warm. 
Winters that are never excessively cold, a moderate altitude 
(4,552 feet above sea level), more than 330 days in the year of 
sunshine, and more than two hundred and twenty in which it 
shines in a cloudless sky; and, in addition, cool delightful 
nights in which refreshing sleep can be had, even in the 
warmest portion of the Summer. It affords the writer great 
pleasure to be able to say, that the curative properties of our 
climate have been established for this disease, as is attested by 
the fact that there are residing among us persons who came 
here in past years apparently in the last stages of consumption 
who to-day are well and strong. Western Nevada has, there- 
fore, that to offer the invalid, as an inducement to come within 
her borders, which is of greater value than were the gold and 
silver of her mines to the fortune seeker of past years, namely: 
the precious blessing of health. It is estimated that in the 
United States alone more than one hundred thousand people 
are swept annually by consumption into premature graves. 
The question has been anxiously asked, Can there not be 
found some means by which the dread ravages of this disease 
can be stopped ? So far, medical science has discovered none 
by which it can be wholly stayed. Climatic treatment has 
proven, up to this time, the only sovereign remedy. In view 
of the conditions existing here favorable to recovery, it 
is safe to affirm that a large per cent, of those who will fall 
victims to this disease in the future years, would be reason- 
ably sure to obtain a new lease of life could they but find their 
way to this favored land, in whose dry aseptic air the tubercle 
finds a fatal foe, before the disease had progressed too far. 



— 6— 

Phthisis is not indigenous to Nevada; the first authenticated 
case originating in this climate having 3-et to be discovered. 
Nor is it alone those who are afflicted, or those threatened 
with this dread scourge, that will be benefited bj- residence 
here, for it has been fully proven that this is indeed Nature's 
sanitarium for asthma and chronic bronchitis as well. While 
excessive altitude might prove an injur}- to those suffering 
from bronchial affection, experience has demonstrated that 
Reno's moderate altitude is beneficial in the greatest degree 
to this class. Among our resident population are to 
be found numbers who had elsewhere, through a long 
series of years, been afflicted with* the distressing com- 
plaints just mentioned, but whose coming to this climate 
has resulted either in complete or in such partial recovery 
as has made life once more enjoyable. Some of these, 
who have traveled in nearly all lands in quest of health 
do not hesitate to pronounce our climate matchless in 
respect to aiding in the restoration of this invaluable boon. 
Asthmatic patients especially have experienced relief in an 
incredibly short time after their arrival, in some cases only a 
few weeks elapsing until their nocturnal slumbers have been 
■pmH undisturbed, much to their joy. Many of this class, 
whether wholly or partially recovered from their disease, dare 
hardly go to reside at a low altitude, or in a damp climate, 
for fear of its return ; while here they feel assured that thej^ 
are safe and, as a consequence, are willing to remain. 



;j|PJ|hE further PIvEASING duty is afforded the 
L jT J writer of sending words of cheer to parents who 
%=v=^' have watched for months, or it may be years, with 
W tenderest solicitude over delicate children, for the 
dawn of a strength and vigor which, alas, have never come. 
He would give to such the assurance, that should they bring 



these children here they will be benefited in an immeasurable 
degree, that the rosy hue of health will come to wan and faded 
cheeks and the light and buoyant step of vigor take the place 
of that of feebleness. Census returns show that in luigland 
and Wales over fifty per cent, of all who have died during the 
past decade were those under twenty years of age, and also 
that in the United States during the same period the mortality 
of the class specified fell but a trifle under. Notice the con- 
trast between the above figures and the death rate of Washoe 
county, in which Reno is situated. According to the most 
careful estimate, the annual rate of mortality of those between 
one and twenty years of age has been only fourteen per cent, 
of the total deaths occurring^, or but one death in every one 
thousand of our population. This can be partly accounted for, 
because of the mild type assumed in this climate by all classes 
of con tageous diseases, which elsewhere cause such a fearful 
harvest of death to be reaped among children. A visit to the 
cemeteries of Western Nevada will show that the graves of 
children and young people are few in proportion to the total 
number of graves; while in nearly every other part of Amer- 
ica we find that fully one-half of all who have been buried 
were those under twenty years of age. The total deaths 
occurring in the five years ending Jvine, 1892, in the public 
and private schools of Reno, among the more than eight hun- 
dred enrolled pupils, have been but four, which is certainly a 
remarkable showing, and one such as can hardly be paralleled 
in anj' other part of the world. Do not these figures speak 
volumes ? Do they not give the most reasonable assurance 
that under our sunny skies delicate childhood has the oppor- 
tunity to develop into robust manhood and womanhood, and 
that, humanely speaking, the child's chances for reaching 
mature years are three or four times greater than they are 
almost auN-where else? May we not also reasonably infer from 
these facts, that amid such favorable conditions Nevada will 
yet give to the world the finest specimens of physical, as we 



trust it will also of moral and intellectual, manhood that have 
ever appeared ? The general healthfulness of the whole State 
will be further seen by comparative statistics. The death rate 
of three of the leading States and a few of the larger cities are 
given, which fairly represents the average of the whole United 
States: In 1890 the mortality of New York City was at the 
rate of 28 per 1,000 of its population; of Chicago, 21; San 
Francisco, 24; New Haven, Ct., 20; Toledo, O., 20; State of 
New York, 20; Maseachusetts, 20.01, and the State of Nevada 
only gj4, being conclusiv^e evidence that the conditions of 
health and longevity exist here as they exist hardly anywhere 
else. It should not be affirmed that every class of invalids 
will be benefited by residing here, but it can be said with con- 
fidence that by far the larger part of those who come will find 
a measure of the priceless blessing of health. The classes of 
patients who would likely receive no benefit in this climate 
are those afflicted with heart disease or those suffering with 
great nervous irritation, yet the trial might prove the change 
highlv beneficial to some, if not all, of those thus afflicted. 




OR A COMPREHENSIVE view of the climate of 
I Reno throughout the vear we refer the reader to 



the accompanying meterological tables which have 
been carefully compiled. These tables show the 
average maximum and minimum temperature ranging 
through a period of years, together with the relative 
humidity, days of sunshine and annual precipitation of moist- 
ure. It will be observed that the mean maximum temperature 
in the warmest months (July and August) for a period of 
twelve years was but 71 degrees, while the mean minimum in 
the coldest months (December, January and February) was 
but 33 degrees. The mean relative humidity for this whole 
period of years was 5 1 , showing the remarkable dryness of 



— 9— 

our atmosphere. To one peculiar feature of our climate, 
which does not exist in a humid atmosphere, nor at a low 
altitude, I would call particular attention: The heat of Sum- 
mer is neither exhausting nor oppressive, and however warm 
it may be in the sunshine, in the shade it wall alwaj-sbe found 
C09I and pleasant. No doubt to this is due the fact that a 
case of sunstroke is unkown. Although less than 300 miles in 
a direct line from the Pacific ocean, our climate, owing to the 
absence of excessive humidity, is as distinct from that of the 
country lying west, between the Sierra Nevada mountains and 
that ocean, as though Reno were tw^o thousand miles further 
inland. This is due to two causes — elevation and the pres- 
ence of the great Sierra mountain chain, which stands as a 
barrier between the Nevada plateau and the ocean fogs and 
rain clouds. How well these mountains act as condensers of 
tlie vapors of the ocean, that are borne inland by the prevail- 
ing winds of Winter, will be understood when we learn that 
the average annual precipitation of moisture in Western Cali- 
forna, north of San Francisco, is from twenty to thirty inches 
(depending upon locality), whereas, at Reno it is but nine 
inches; and w^hile the snow piles up on the summits of these 
great mountains to an average annual depth of 30 feet it rarely 
exceeds a few inches in depth at Reno during any Winter. 
While Reno is thus deprived of the moisture which the warm 
winds bear northward and eastward from the South Pacific, it 
enjoys the modifying influences of these genial air currents 
which renders its climate balmy and pleasant during a large 
part of the Winter. Nor is this the only beneficial effect that 
the plateau of Western Nevada derives from the ocean breezes. 
Crossing as they do in the Summer months the lofty snow 
covered summits and pine clad ridges of the Sierras, they 
sweep gentl}' down upon the valleys, greatlj- reducing the 
temperature and bearing in their embrace ozone from the 
ocean and tonic from the forests of pine, which are .so grateful 
and healing to diseased respiratory organs. Owing to its 



peculiar conformation the Nevada plateau is never visited bj^ 
tornadoes nor destructive wind storms of any kind ; nor is that 
Winter scourge, the blizzard, ever felt or known here. This 
plateau is not, as some suppose who have never seen it, one 
vast plain. It is rather a series of mountains and valleys 
alternating over its wide extent, whose scenic beauty stands 
unrivalled. The reader must not form the impression that 
these valleys enjoy a perpetual calm. During the afternoon 
of some days, especially in the late Autumn and in the Spring, 
a strong breeze prevails from the west that brings a glow to 
the cheek and elasticity to the step of the pedestrian. As will 
be seen from the tables, the months in which the greatest pre- 
cipitation occurs are January and February. In these months 
the moisture in the atmosphere usually, but not always, 
falls in the form of snow, which seldom lies on the 
ground more than a few days at a time, as the warm Chinook 
winds, wafted from the Pacific, cause it to melt rapidly. But 
should these warm winds not prevail, the almost continuous 
daily sunshine causes it to disappear in from one to three 
weeks. This period usually affords excellent sleighing, 
especially after sunset, for however cold the nights become in 
Winter (and during the coldest the thermometer rarely falls 
below zero), the days are generally warm and pleasant. Ow- 
ing to the absence of long continued freezing, even in the cold- 
est months, the disagreeable period, known elsewhere as the 
Spring thaw, never occurs here. As deep snows and excess- 
ive rains are unknown at an}- season, our streets and roads 
are, as a consequence, in good condition nearly all the year. 
It is only during a very brief period that the bicycle cannot 
be used, and even in Winter there are but few days when 
carriage and horse cannot be used. 



^^fUFFERERS from any fbrmof rheumatism or skin dis- 
||^||| ease will find at our doors two of the noted hot sprinj^s 
^^^ for the cure of these obstinate complaints. vSteam- 
"W boat Springs, twelve miles south, and Laughton's, 
five miles west, of Reno, contain all the properties in solution 
that have been found most efficacious in restoring rheumatic 
patients to their wonted health, and rival in virtue the far 
famed Hot Springs of Arkansas. With the use of these heal- 
ing waters, in addition to the natural favorable conditions by 
which the rheumatic patient finds himself surrounded, such as 
a pure dry atmosphere, the absence of all malaria, and cool 
crystal waters fresh from the everlasting .snows for his daily 
beverage, it is no inarvel that his recovery should be rapid 
and pronounced. Steamboat vSprings can be reached by 
carriage drive over an excellent road in less than an hour and 
a half, or, if one prefers to go b\- railroad, in less than thirty 
minutes, while Laughton's Springs can be reached b}- rail or 
carriage in a short time. Plans are being matured by which 
the waters of one or both of these boiling cauldrons will be 
piped to Reno, thus enabling the invalid to enjo)^ their use 
without the necessity of a journey to the springs as at present. 



IP^HOT ONLY the invalid in quest of health should come 
p[T?(; to Reno, but also the well and strong, who, if on 
ife^"^' pleasure bent, will here find some of the most desir- 
w able outdoor attractions. If fishing be the enjo}-- 
ment sought, the Truckee river, which flows past, abounds in 
trout; or, if one wishes to add to this delightful pastime 
boating and bathing, a trip to one of the mountain lakes will 
enable him to enjoy to the full these coveted luxuries. Those 
wishing to indulge in the exciting sport of the chase may 
gratif}' their desire by ascending the higher ranges of the 
Sierras where they will find such large game as bear and deer. 



and occasionally a mountain lion. In the foothills, as well as 
in the more elevated region, grouse, quail and the famous 
jack rabbit are to be found in abundance. At certain seasons 
of the year deer roam the vallej^s and can\'ons and become the 
eas}^ prey of the hunter. 




[he writer need only mention a few of the various 
mountain resorts adjacent to Reno, where the most 
-^k^ delightful days may be spent in Summer camp, and 
# where all the pleasures derived from the outdoor 
sports just mentioned may be enjoyed to the full in these 
pleasant and, in some respects, most romantic spots on earth. 
In the warmest portion of the Summer if one desires nights so 
cool that frosts are rarel}'- absent, and da^^s that are simply 
perfect, he can drive over the new turnpike from Reno skirt- 
ing the majestic Mount Rose, whose snowclad summit pierces 
the sky, and in a little over three hours find himself on the 
shores of Tahoe, one of the most beautiful lakes on two conti- 
nents, of whose charms Bishop J. H. Vincent thus writes: 
"There is not a more beautiful sheet of water on the planet 
than Lake Tahoe. Whoever trespasses its confines roams in 
wonderland, and catching the first exhalations of pine and fir 
and mountain breeze feels that he is quaffing the nectar of the 
gods. It renews the vigor of youth to climb some enticing 
height and chase the fleeing sunbeams as the king of day 
takes on his evening glorj^ attended in his course by the 
clouds, winged messengers of the nightfall, from whose glow- 
ing depths the floodgates of light burst forth and bathe the 
mountains with the coquetting hues of sunset. This is a 
scene of all scenes most grand. From our exalted view the 
canyons wind away in the closing shadows, and towering 
peaks upon peaks in ranges pass away, until the eye, now 
more UvSed to the immense array, sights the outstanding snow 



— 13 — 

capped sentinel of a million years embanked against the skj-. 
The horizon recedes and extends its bounds as though unable 
to hold the panorama of creation. Juitranced is the beholder. 
New objects of interest appear, notabh' a great number of 
crystal gems, lakes and lakelets literally nestling upon the 
mountain tops reflecting the intense blue of the sky. This 
vision correlates the beauty of Switzerland, the picturesque 
Como and the grandeur of the Alps." And Dr. Selah Brown, 
the noted traveler and lecturer, wrote thus concerning it: "A 
charming place is Lake Tahoe. Its beautiful shores and mag- 
nificent surroundings are a perfect enchantment. It nestles 
most delightfully among glorious old mountain peaks that lift 
their heads from 5.000 to 10,000 feet above the sea. It was 
hard to realize, as we floated on its bosom, that we were more 
than a mile above the ocean. Little steamers. sail its clear, 
cool, placid w^aters, swinging around capes and promontories, 
and darting in and out of coves and bays of marvelous beauty . If 
one would find grand scenery, panoramic views, Italian skies, 
gorgeous sunsets, salubrious air, pure water, aromatic pines, 
profound solitude, roaring torrents, romantic excursions, rest 
and recreation, hotels and cottages, tents and camps, fishing 
and hunting, boating and bathing, he can find all and more in 
and around Lake Tahoe." It is not Tahoe alone that affords 
such pleasure and recreation to tourist and invalid, for lying 
north a few miles apart from each other are lakes Donner, 
Independence and Webber, which, though much smaller than 
Tahoe, yet are perfect gems, fringed with pines and set amid 
towering mountains. Donner is accessible bj- rail, while the 
others can be reached by stage or private conveyance. On 
the shores of each will be found hotels affording all the com- 
forts and conveniences that could be desired. In addition to 
these already mentioned the writer would not forget to speak 
of Lake Pyramid, a sheet of clear, blue water of more than 
forty miles in extent from north to south and from eight to 
ten miles in width, which lies about thirty-five miles distant 



— 14 — 

from Reno in a northeasterh- direction. The chemical com- 
position of the waters of this lake is of such nature as to afford 
the most healthful and pleasant Summer bathing to be found 
in the world. It can be reached onlj' b}^ private conYe3"ance 
at present. The road leading thither is in good condition 
nearly all the year. The writer feels assured that an electric 
motor road will be built to this lake in the not distant future, 
and that it wdll become, owing to the mildness of the Winters 
on its .shores, a noted resort for the health seeker during the 
cold season of the vear. «i. 



(Mjli).HE RELIGIOUS and social features of Reno do not 
Si 4 8'^^^tly differ from those of other towns in the West. 
^^Jii- Cases of crime are of rare occurrence and life and 
""0 propert}^ are as secure as in any of the cities and 
town of the East. The following churches, representing the 
leading denominations, are to be found, viz. : Episcopal, Bap- 
tist, Methodist, Congregational and Catholic. Each of these 
has a comfortable house of worship and each maintains regu- 
lar Sabbath and week day services. The various secret and 
benevolent orders that flourfsh in older communities are found 
here also. 




I 



She public schools are of an excellent character 
:!| and fully equipped with apparatus and well trained 
1^^' teachers. The presence of the State University and 
# also that of Whitaker Hall, a seminary for young 
ladies, a description of whose work is given elsewhere, makes 
Reno a very desirable location for all who seek thorough edu- 
cational advantages. In no other land can the student follow 
in the pursuit of knowledge under conditions more favorable 



— 15 — 

to success than are to be found in Nevada. That drowsy 
feeling, so common in a damp or murky atmosphere, which 
relaxes the mental grasp and takes the keen edge from the 
perceptive faculties is unknown here. With physical vigor 
at its best and brain unclouded as a Nevada sky the student, 
as he roams the wide field of knowledge and gleans valuable 
sheaves with which to enrich mind and heart, finds his work 
not a drud"-erv, but a delight. 



i6 — 



rvi: 



[table no. I.] 



Compiled by Chas. IV. Irish, Civil Engineer, Reno, Nevada, from 
ajitlientic sources, showing a mean of twelve years, ending 
i8gi: 



Mean Tempera- 
ture 



Mean minimum 
p r e c i pitation 
in inclics . . 

Mean maximum 
evaporation in 
inches 



Per cent of mean 
relative humid- 
ity 



Cloudless days. 



29^ 



0.63 

64 
15 



35' 



0.92 



1.25 



42^ 



0.83 



2 34 



50-! 58< 



65° 



0.31 o 2810.21 0.09 



3.56 



6i| 56 SI 

i. 
loj 15 



72' 



3.87 

40 
15 



5 819.56 



40 37 

211 26 



70* 



10.19 

39 
25 



o I ft 



ei'^ 



So°\ 38''i 36' 



o. lop. 12 0.50 



6 40I3.85 



1.94 

58 
19 



o 42 
0.87 

65 
5 



totals: 

Average relative humidity for the year (through 12 years), 51, 

Highest relative humidity occurring in months of December and January, 
reaching 75 and 71. 

Lowest relative humidity occurring in months of July and August, reaching 
only 26 and 32. 

Average for the year (through 12 years) of cloudless days, 211. 






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bog 
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> 3 


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5; UJ 


a\ 


C: O 




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"* 


^ 





^ 



^ 

I 



^ 

^ 






Total Monthfy Range 


— OS ro O 00 ro On OnvO vO " (-0 


o 


1 t-^^O t^-O O Tl- L<-> IT) LO Lo I/-1 ro 




w 

< 
> 


Mean 


ONvO ro "^ t^ O N OnOO m\o O 
"Ivo I/-1 0> On "^ r^vO N — N 00 


O 
ro 


Date 


O O TftouriTt— O rn ■*nO — 


Least 


li-iONO O O OOO ro — 00 ■■4-nO 
•^ rn u-ivo O O — 00 "-1 rfcO f^ 


in 

ro 


Date . . . 
Greatest 


OnOO rot^ro— O^Orf-MOO 1 1 
N - « cs w N „ 1 1 


q M O lO On — N OnvO 00 •* — 
fr^ yj-, U-, u^ ^ rri Tt ^ Tj- ^ ^^ 


P, 
^ 


s 


O O lou^o mo u-)Loij-iuio 
t^OO OO LO - tr-.iO - On 0\ "-1 t^ 

Monthly range « rJ ^ '^ ' .J ,^ ,^ _:. ..■„ ' 




Mean 


rONO M NO 00 i-^ r^ M 00 -"too O 
■* ON •^ - -stOO u-i ON •* - — I^ 

l-~ N r'l ^^ l/^oO 00 00 no ro o" t>. 
N -^ -t ir^u-, u-i^o NO NO "~i -"t ro 




1 < UJ 

1! 




Date 1 •*o-i^rft^M-.oo"ON>- 




Lowest 


i-i O — "^ O "^ irivO ro O '•O O 


5- 


w ti->o - NO O NO OnOO ro O r^ 
1 rOM -^Tt-LovoLOiOTj-rOM 


ON 

ro 


Date 


O I^ ro N rONO Tj- t^ ro — N on 
rON-N-MN — 




Highest 


u-i0 0"^00'^"^iO000 
looo 00- — rot^NOONr^ 

O N 00 "~i t^OO 'i- Tf ro '- 00 00 
li-i lo u-iNO NO NO t^ r^ t^NO ■* Tf 


00 

00 

NO 


IMUM. 


Monthly range c> - ro^ - o r- w^ n r^ -^ ov ^ 

; lONMNMMN — — MP)"- N 


lOOOOON'+t^-OO'^-OlO 00 
1 "^00 l->.Tj-t^-\OCiO--;fONO - 

™^^" ; ^ >* Lo * O VO "' O O t^ ONCO' vo" 

1 "MMro-^TtLouoLnroNN 1 ro 


1 ^ 

s 

i >■ 


Date 1 '^ON«->j-iNtN,o«ONNONCTii 
l"^M •-' Mr4M— 1 


Lowest M-*ro-'ovoo>-N'i^t--.N ! 

1 1 N 


Q 


Date 1 oo-MOr^-ON^o\o\| 


Hiehest .1 ^. ~ '^''° ^. *^ "^ •^'^. "'^ "? <^ "^ 

N0N30 "-100 t^N00Nt-~O- 00 


Daily Maximum, 


Monthly range | o ^ -+ ^ ^ ^ '^'^ «? - o t S. 

\ rr^,\0 cc rx> kO a^'-O ^r in ^■^ Q » 


Mean 


r^rj-rot^— t^ror^NNOO "t 
CNl O ■- On N "-o u-i Onoo 00 ro r-^ 


r^ 


O - — rr) o " "J-INO N 00 - NO 
<-nO NO r^ (^ t>~00 00 00 NO "^ "* 


NO 
NO 


Date 

Lowest 


TtiO""-irj-ro— Mr^. — i~-.>- 1 1 
— r)N — Nrorgrol | 


T^>y^— loOOOnO— OO-ro 

O On ON On — t-»NO t^ r^OO ro On 
— -+ ro 'I- »0 lonO t^NO lO >+ N 


^ 

^ 


Date 

Highest 


•-OVS rorONNNOroro—CNIOO 
riN — ~ — N«N — 




TtON>^OroO"^-OON-r-, fo 

ro I'N t~^00 r~.NO M ro ro N ON ON "- 
vO r^OO 00 00 00 ON ON Onoo no lO 00 




Month. 


January . 
February . 

March . . 

May. ... 
June . . . 
July. 
August . . 
Sei)tt;mber 
October . 
November 
December 


c 



— iS 






fe; 



K 



■OQ 



Pro S On 



w 



I 



H Q tn 





2 



*^ On 



^ 
I 

^ 









-1- '- ^ '5 :^ -^ M 




December. 


'■^.'^ 


<^X-''^'^'~^0 — 0"'0 O"^ 
• ON. ■ • 'O '^^ • ro • 
t^ M ONCO roco ro>0 "1 — . ^ ro N ^h 


'S 




«-< 


^ClH 1 




"1 


1 LTi ro M r-l 2" '^^ "^' t^ -" ~ 




j: 


jr t^ O ..C ^ CO lo 


\j^\ 


November 


". ON ". ^ °. "? 9:' ^?o ^. o t ;:2 "? 


(u : 




L*"* 


C ►- 0" roo — — 1^ r-lOO . O N t^NO 


"^~ 




VO 


" -^ "-. N ■* NO " 


-H ~J 




^ 


^ . _ x: Ti- N o 




October . . 


°^ 


■<d- ro — r<-)vO t^ CI rf . O N 'J^ ''O 


■? 




t-n 


~ !Jh ; 




00 


NnOnOco-^— u-lO •" 




^ 


.C CN)N ^ .CT1 OO 


c 1 


September 


•-_ t^ r^ -^ ■^ i^ t~~ t~^ ;:;_ "^co °. '-'. '-'. 




"" o<; 


•^MntjoOO^i^nn OOOnlt 






„ °lbe 


m "^oo Tf- "^ — (^ 




x: 


s: oc ^ ^o OO 


u. 


August . . 


"? ^°°. t^ ^ 't "^ °. t;s "^ i2 °. o o 




■^ - 


O CNl rnoo « o - •* r<^00 O O O O N 


OnFI 




o 


Tj- ij-iCC ir-, .^ pj (SI 


N ^ 




o •£ 


x: OO -c rflN OO 


i: 


July. . 


00 ti N ^ On ro/;;; "^ tl t^ O O 




.^P).j~iio«.^cqt^«o OOOO" 


^0 




o 


■^ LT-.OO "-) ■* N ro 




._ 


s: r^o -^ -COO <uo 


^ 


June ... 


ro ^ 


LO'—OO'J^t-^fO^NO^-t^ ^C 




. N 


. OO . . . . — . r^ . cs . 


OJ 


l-H k-l 


r^Nroyf-O — -ONNts ,^-0000)00") 




o 


ri i>-ioo ij-i ^ " m r-' N 


^i 




,- 


j:: j:2 -C »J^ ^o Lo 


L' 


May 


^Co 


^- rococo q -<^>S "^ MN 




ON M 


ON OOO-O'NO f^ .M-OMOO~I 




00 

- 


INNONO-^rOHH -^1-1 — 


."._! 






X: J2 ^ NO ro <U 




April. ... 


=0.5 


t<io 1 1'^.'-^. 5^"?t^°^ q y 


'rt \ 


On (N| 


LO »« T+ U-, t-^ O -■ 00 N O ,- O O t^ 


^ ^ 1 




r^ 


IN ij^nO ro tJ- "t t— " 




J= On ro _ ^ ^ "-1 


u 


March. 


. p 


=^ CTN '^. ":■ -. ° N ^ ^°°. ^. "? 






iON00--v0r^'-'ONN>-'>-'00 OO'^"^ — 


^o 




NO 


"•^J-LOrotn—Tl- - 




~^_r. 


-C t^ 't J3 j:: O On 




February 


ON J:;;_Nq J^ rn N rrjCO p, ■* -^ •^ M. "- 


OJ 


ro N 


(N)»-_-„^(v,„,_co Ororo moo 


^U 




NO 


NO "-. IN ro " ■* 




^ 


JS u-iOO j3 j:: On t^ o) 


U 


Januaiy . . 


On ii 


lO-z-Te-t-^l-^u-i-.i^j.^^- rONn 


ct 


.On .on . . . . O . ^^ . .• -. 
N 0*-'ro~NO'i-Nl~~'-iON omroON 


OJ 1 

2^0 




lO 


1 "-1 ■^ >- ro "^ — 








cent 
and 










: ■ . 3i . : : 5:.s ■ : ■ . 


; ■ 








:«.•„■&■£ ; ^ 2 ■ : ■ 


• 








tA ". V. Qj oj ■ - ■ ■ • 










degree 

, degre 

degrei 

nge, (1 

e, degv 

imidit^ 
on of 
inches, 
inches. 


\ \ 




a> 


tA 


- p =' S . W) • ;= '-^ . „ . • 


. 




<u 


<D 




: : ' 




5io 


t3 D 








Highest, 
Dat 


est, 
Dat 

thly 

Ltest 
Dat 
,1 da 
Dat 
n re 
1 p, 
sltec 
Isni 
yd. 
dy < 
day 


tH "« 




o 





00 c 

NO c 

no' !" 



cC 



O dj 



— 19 — 

CZ:CDrvlI=>A.F=?^a^-ri\/E: T J\I3l—Hl 
[table no. 4.] 

Presenting a eoniparlson of the temperature, humidity, rainfall 
and hours of sunshine, prevailing at one each of the leading 
health resorts of Europe and America and that of Reno. 





> 




«■ < 




n rt 




R 3 




•T3 03 




n n 








i^q 




C ja 




fi 2. 




• 3 




: c 




. 3 



November — 

Davos Platz, Switzerland 

Colorado Springs . 

Reno, Nevada 

December — 

Davos Platz 

Colorado Springs 

Reno 

Jamiary — 

Davos Platz 

Colorado Springs 

Reno 

February — 

Davos Platz 

Colorado Springs. 

Reno 

March — 

Davos Platz 

Colorado Springs 

Reno 



54 
49 
51 

43 
49 
47 

39 
39 
40 

44 
42 
61 

46 
54 
59 



> 

r» < 

n ft 
3 p 
-T. orq 
n n 

c 2. 
3 2. 
• 3 



14 
24 
29 

3 
21 

28 

I 

12 
14 

6 
14 
25 

2 
28 
26 



34 
33 
39 

28 
30 
37 

22 
21 
28 

21 
26 
43 

26 
39 
43 



3- orq 
c n 



78 
67 

68 

78 

57 
81 

81 
59 
59 

82 
61 
48 

73 
57 
49 



=^3 



180 i 

120 

165^ 
167 I 

i 

54>^ 
161X; 

215 I 



y\ 3 ■ 03 
169X 0.22 
168 1.95 



0,08 
0.07 
0.37 



0.79 
o. 16 
0.70 



425 
0.68 
0.29 



127^ 1. 01 
214 0.12 
220 j 0.63 



20 



[table no. 5.] 
cr^CD ivi !=> A.F? A. T I \/' e: 

FOR MEAN OF FIVE YEARS. 



NO. OF DAYS. 



o 



to 



O 
o* 



B 



2, p 



a' 

rt> P 
I— ' i-r 

m o 

p, ci 



01 

p 

B 
n 



Reno, Nevada ...... 

Denver, Colorado. . . 

Santa Fe, N, M 

L,os Angeles, Cal,, . . 
Salt Lake, Utah .... 
Jacksonville, Florida 

Newport, R. I 

Boston 

Chicago 

New York 

St. Paul 



207 

177 

174 
164 
141 

126 
108 

105 
104 

lOI 

103 



120 
142 
148 
148 

131 
152 
140 

145 
154 
155 
158 



38 
46 

43 
53 
93 
87 
117 

115 
107 
109 
104 



46.68 
45 ~ 
41 
65 



69 

74 
68 
69 
70 

67 



14- 
14 
iJ 

17 

55 

50- 

49 

35 

42, 

29. 



80 


50. 


77 


49- 


17 


48. 


97 


59 • 


52 


51- 


•94 


69. 


.20 


50. 


■47 


48. 


•47 


49. 


.70 


51^ 


59 


43 



82 

I 

5 
8 
8 
2 
3 
5 
3 
3 
9 



@mping in tl]e gierra^. 




By HON. W. W. WEBSTER. 



* > ^ < * 



flimHE SIERRA NEVADA and Washoe mountain ranges 
C'ff i run parallel and extend northerly and southerly for 
^sfe^' many miles. Between these ranges are many valleys 
'^ whose western boundary is the foothills of the Sierra 
Nevadas. From the foothills and the whole of the eastern 
slope of the latter mountains perennial streams of pure spring 
and snow water flow down through the valleys below. The 
Truckee river is the largest of these mountain streams. 
There flows over its channel for a distance of seventy miles a 
large volume of pure water that is discharged into Pyramid 
and Echo lakes, which lie at the eastern base of the Washoe 
range. This river, by the action of its waters and the aid of 
other forces, has, in the history of the great past, torn and 
worn a channel through the Washoe range over which the 
Central Pacific Railroad has an excellent pass westerly into 
the Truckee valley from the plateau that forms a part of the 
North American basin. The Truckee river has its main 
source in Lake Tahoe, in the heart of the Sierras, and there 
are other and lesser bodies (Donner, Webber and Independ- 
ence) in these mountains that largely contribute their waters 
to swell its volume. From these smaller lakes and from the 
many mountain springs, channels, deep cut by the'water and 



22 

other causes, contribute largely to the picturesque and grand 
scenery of the mountains. Over these channels, veiled by the 
deep shadows of the pines and firs, the waters leap and bound 
to the main Truckee. In these deep cut mountain furrows 
are the cool and refreshing spots (making a veritable mount- 
ain paradise in the Summer months) where the gentle 
zephyr, laden with the odor of pine forests mingled 
with the perfume of mountain flowers, plays upon the cheek, 
and where the songs of the birds and the hum of the wild 
bees give a soft and mellow cadence to the music of rustling 
leaves and rushing waters. The water taken by the river 
from the upper lakes descends, in its course of seventy miles, 
twenty-five hundred feet, when it is received by the lower 
lakes, upon whose beds it rests as pure as the snow from 
which it came. 



♦ >. * <: ♦ 



)|i|Sji|HERE ARE, in the mountain tributaries of the rivers 
1, ByM of California and Nevada, excellent varieties of native 
^^is^ trout and other fishes. To the native trout varieties, 
W through the enterprise of these States, there has been 
added many others from the streams of New England and 
from the streams of the western mountains. In the Truckee 
and its tributaries there have been placed large numbers of 
these transplanted varieties, all of which have largely multi- 
plied and now exist along with the native trout in abundance. 
This river, the lakes that form its sources and Pyramid and 
Echo lakes that receive its waters, furnish trout fishing that 
cannot be surpassed on the continent. The writer has taken 
from Pyramid lake in less than six hours, with hook and line, 
trout whose united weight was over three hundred and fifty 
pounds, many of which weighed from four to ten pounds 
each. The largest specimens that have been caught turned 
the scales at sixteen pounds. Such examples, however, are 



— 23 — 

rare. The sizes are graded from the large trout of this lake 
to the small trout of the Sierra Nevada mountain brooks,, 
weighing a few ounces. Echo lake is not as large as lake 
Pj-ramid, and contains but one variety, called silver trout, 
which take their name from the bright and silvery sheen of 
their scales. They are a game and a beautiful fish. The differ- 
ent varieties enter the Truckee from these lakes in their season. 
The first to enter are from Pyramid lake and come into the 
river about the last of October, from which time the other 
varieties follow until May. The last to enter are the silver 
trout, from Echo lake, in June. Nearly all of the lake trout 
have then returned to the lakes, those remaining being the 
river and mountain trout proper. These strictly river and 
mountain varieties, after the return of the lake trout, furnish 
the sportsman ample returns for his patience and skill. 
These varieties are graded in size by altitude. 

*">^-C-» 




^LONG THE TRUCKEE and its tributaries and upon 
the shores of the lakes are some of the most delightful 
spots, beautiful and grand beyond description. The 
higher peaks of the Sierras, clad in the cheerful green 
of the mountain pines, and the broad faces and serrated edges 
of the rocks, gleaming in the sunlight in their pine-girt frames, 
present pictures whose grandeur must be seen to be appreci- 
ated. The soft blue of the sky in Summer, when viewed 
from the depths of some intervening canyon enclosed by the 
deep walls of the mountains, gives a halo to the scene that is 
inspiring and soothing, and when the day is closing, the sun, 
as if pleased at the beauties imparted to mountain and lake, 
sends golden beams over all as a parting adieu that blend 
with the shadings of the mountains and lakes and give a deli- 
cate variety and tint that could not be described by brush or 
pen. These beauties combined form a sunset, in its variable- 



— 24 — 

ness and richness, so pleasing to the eye and mind that the 
observer is lost by the blending of his individuality into one- 
ness with his surroundings. He can only wonder and admire. 
As darkness approaches and deepens into night in these 
mountains the deep blue of the southern heavens is intensified. 
The clear, dry atmosphere gives distinctness and the stars 
and planets, in contrast with the obscurity of the background, 
have brightness and brilliancy that give to each a wonderful 
distinctness of outline. The shadings, colorings and beauties 
of Nature in the Sierras may not be imitated, the work is her 
own and will remain to the end her possession. A very good 
way for the tourist and others who may be seeking health or 
recreation or both to see and enjoy this enchanting scenery 
and the many natural effects with which it is allied, is by 
camping in the mountains in the Summer and Autumn 
months. The atmosphere is so dry during these months that 
moisture is not at any time perceptible. There are no dews. 
The sportsman may in the evening laj^ his clothing in the 
open air, damp from prespiration or wet from an involuntary 
bath in brook or lake, and when the morning is come he will 
find them dry. In this out-of-door life a tent will afford all 
the shelter repuired. There are no forces of nature in all 
these mountains nor in the valleys in the Summer time that 
the walls of a canvas tent are not more than sufficient to repel. 
The most timid female or delicate invalid is as secure from 
harm or annoyance in a canvas tent as she could be in a parlor 
in any of our cities. The invalid may, upon his couch in 
these mountain solitudes, or when quietly passing upon the 
bank of a mountain brook, seek and find health. The dry. 
Summer air of the Sierras, freighted with healing balms from 
their pine forests, is one of Nature's great restoratives. In 
pulmonary ailments it is healing and life-giving. In the last 
weeks of May and in June, when the Winter snows are reced- 
ing to the summits and the flowers are making their first 
appearance, there is in the mountain air a mirth-inspiring 



— 25 — 

property that stimulates and sends the blood coursing over 
the body with a force plainly perceptible in its action by the 
glow upon the cheeks and the change of manner in those 
under its influence. This eflfect is not altogether the result of 
exercise, as those who ride feel it the same as do those who 
walk, and the benefits derived by those who walk are also 
received by those who ride. These feelings and benefits come 
from breathing the mountain air at the season mentioned. As 
the Spring merges into Summer the air seems to lose this sub- 
tile essence, but continues to invigorate those who seek its 
healing and life giving properties. 



HEN SUMMER is closed and Autumn is come, the 
more athletic find a new source of pleasure and ex- 
"^^^^^S*" ercise by taking the gun in exchange for the rod. 
W The young mountain quail is fledged, and the cov- 

eys are forming into bands near the springs and along the 
water courses before leaving the higher mountains for the 
foothills in California, where they spend the Winter. These 
birds furnish fine shooting and are of the better varieties of 
game. The mountain grouse, at this season, are also plenti- 
ful, and not only furnish fine sport, but are delicious when 
properly cooked. Deer are seen more often than they are 
caught. Two or more enterprising hunters may any morning 
arise at 3 o'clock and make their appearance about 
daybreak near the summit of one of the higher mountains 
and with a good Winchester bring down a deer with 
fine antlers that may require more strategem to get him 
into camp than it did to kill him. In this service a 
donkey will prove a very good substitute for the hunter. 
There are a few small bears in the mountains, at least I have 
been informed by those who claim to know, that bears have 
their habitat somewhere in the Sierras, but I could not 



— 26 — 

write a word from personal observance that would tend to 
confirm a bear story and establish as a fact that there are 
bears in numbers sufficient on which to build one. Having 
resided in the mountains almost thirty years I should 
know something about bruin, but I do not know anything 
worth relating. The only uneasiness of mind that I have had 
in all this time because of bears occurred more than two 
decades since, by having something like a depression in the 
sand pointed out by my companion, who informed me 
that it was a "bear track." At a time so remote from 
my bear's track experience I feel at liberty to say that the 
most timid female or invalid is proof against any attack from 
bears in these mountains. Such animals have no use for 
tourists or camping parties. They flee from the approach of 
man as fast as their instinct and fears can impel them. 



EftV^-t or (Jlin7ate+ 



OH DISEASE, 




# 



♦ ]^ « > - C • 



fT IS THE UNANIMOUS opinion of physicians who 
have practiced in Reno for a number of years, that 
there is nowhere to be found a climate more conducive 
to health and longevity than the climate of Western 
Nevada. A case of consumption has never been known to 
develop here, unless the person was engaged in some occupa- 
tion that furnished both the cause and aggravation. Many 
persons whose fathers and fathers' fathers have fallen victims 
to this dreod disease have come here and have lived to ripe old 
age, and died at last of some other malady. These pages 
could be filled with living examples of those who have come 
to Reno with consumption and have been restored to health 
and happiness by this life-giving climate. In this land of 
almost perpetual sunshine and exceptionally pure air the 
dreaded Bacillus Tuberculoses finds absolutely no encourage- 
ment in his deadly work. 

Asthma. — It is not claimed that Asthma is always cured 
b}^ this climate but we come in dail}' contact with persons who 
cannot live elsewhere on account of this disease, and yet in 
this pure, bracing air they [are enabled to pass the time in 
ease and comfort, for if not cured they are greatly relieved. 

Children's Diseases. — Scarlet Fever is occasionally 
brought here from some other locaHty, but it is not looked 
upon as an alarming disease and rarely ever proves fatal. A 



— 28 — 

death from it has not been known in our town for years. In 
the majority of cases it is no more to be dreaded than measles 
of a mild type. The remarkable purity of this mountain air 
must alone account for this. 

Diphtheria. — At long intervals Diphtheria appears in the 
town or community, but does not become epidemic, seldom 
more than two or three families being afflicted. 

Bowel Troubles, which so devastate the homes of the 
Hast and South by removing the children of tender age, are 
almost unknown in this highly favored region. The much- 
dreaded Cholera Infantum is very rare in this climate, per- 
haps not more than a single case being met in a physician's 
practice of a whole j^ear. 

Surgery. — Operations in Surgery are attended with most 
excellent results. Some years ago a man was run over by the 
cars near Reno and his thigh was terribly crushed and fright- 
fully lacerated. He was removed to the county hospital, when 
the attending ph}^sicians (several in number) decided that 
there was no probability of his surviving the shock of ampu- 
tation. As the result he was left alone and the contused flesh 
separated from the sound, the physician simply trimming off 
the bone. The man, aided by this marvelously pure air, made 
a rapid and permanent recovery. 

Dyspepsia. — While not claiming that this climate is a 
specific for Stomach troubles, it is nevertheless true that 
almost all persons suffering from stomach disorders are bene- 
fited by coming here from lower altitudes. 

Malaria. — Malarial disorders are practically unknown. 
'Those who suffer from the effects of this subtile poison else- 
where, after coming to this climate soon experience relief and 
find complete exemption as long as they remain. 

In general it may be said of this climate that it offers 
advantages unsurpassed to those who seek restoration to 
health and especially to those seeking immunity from con- 
sumption and kindred disorders. 



3Rc gtale gniDeF§it^,« 



By S. A. JONES, Ph. D. 



->dM^^ 




Situated to the north of Reno, about one- 
half mile from the depot, in the center of a beautiful 
campus of twenty acres, is the State University. It 
consists of four substantial brick buildings, and the 
mechanical workshop, which is a wooden structure. On one 
side of the buildings are two lawn tennis courts, a croqiiet 
ground and military parade ground, which is also used for 
football and baseball purposes. On the other side the campus 
is laid out in lawns, through which run well-graded drives and 
walks, all producing an agreeable effect. The University has 
had a steady and vigorous growth ever since it was located at 
Reno. The number of students in attendance has increased 
yearly and will probably continue to do so for some time to 
come. Last 3'ear the enrollment reached 163, besides the 
Training School, which had 46 pupils. It is nearly as large 
now, and will probably equal it next term. The Professors 
are nearly all specialists in their departments, and very en- 
thusiastic in their work. Five special lines of work are 
offered, viz: The Commercial Department, where the princi- 
ple subjects are Business Arithmetic, Commercial Law, 
English Language, Type- writing and Short-hand; the Nor- 
mal Department, where, in addition to the common English 
branches, English Literature, Algebra, Geometry, Physics, 
Chemistry-, Geologv, Botanv and Anatomv and Phvsiologv 



— 30 — 

are thoroughly studied, and the theory- and practice of teach- 
ing are carefully presented. In the University proper there 
are the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Mines, and the 
School of Agriculture, in which advanced work in the lan- 
guages, mathematics and the sciences claim special attention. 
The four Laboratories in Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and 
Physiology, and Assaying, are veritable workshops, each in 
charge of a thoroughly competent instructor, in which the 
students do practical work with their own hands. The stu- 
dents are taking great interest in practical mechanics in the 
workshop. The demand is greater than the accommodations. 
A matter in which every one connected with the institution 
is greatly interested is the Library. Two thousand dollars 
have recently been expended in books for it. These, with the 
book before on hand, make a very creditable working library, 
inasmuch as they range through the departments of biographj^ 
travel, history, poetry, English literature and the different 
branches of science. The Military Department is in the 
charge of a commissioned officer, sent b)^ the President of the 
United States to instruct the students in military science and 
tactics. All male students are required to become cadets and 
wear the prescribed uniform at all times when in attendance. 
This is a very neat and appropriate suit, which costs onl}" 
$11.45. ^h.e arms and accoutrements are furnished by the 
United States, The following may not be out of place in this 
connection: A Professor in an Eastern college, who visited 
the University recently, remarked: " I am surprised to find in 
so young an institution such good buildings, and so elaborate 
equipments, so good a Faculty, and such good looking stu- 
dents. There is more of the University and it is on a better 
basis than I supposed. 



By REV. ERASMUS VAN DEERLIN. 

,JjS|hIS school for girls was founded in 1875 by 
||#^ the Right Rev. O. W. Whitaker, D. D., Bishop of 
?^^^ Nevada from 1869 to 1886. It was established to 
W give the girls of Nevada the opportunity of obtaining 
within their own State a thorough education, in a well- 
guarded Clu'isticni Home, where they would be surrounded by 
good influences, and be cared for as daughters in the family as 
to their health, manners and character. The aim of the 
school is to develop the pupils into refined, cultured, Christian 
women, well fitted for all the duties of practical and social life, 
and trained up to be all that daughters, wives and mothers 
ought to be. The object of the discipline of the school is to 
instill just principles of action, to cultivate a love for the 
right, and to teach girls that "greatest of all human achieve- 
ments" — self-government. The fundamental and solid 
branches are pursued thoroughly and systematically. Music ,^ 
drawing, painting, French and German are taught by experi- 
enced and accomplished teachers. The school is provided 
with all necessary means for its work. It has a good gym- 
nasium, library, chemical apparatus, cabinet of minerals, etc. 
The grounds are, without doubt, the most beautiful in the 
State. It is but simple justice to the school to say that the 
advantages which it oflFers for obtaining a thorough education 
in every department of study, and for the formation of true 



— 32 — 

womanly character, are not surpassed by any school west of 
the Rocky mountains. Parents will find here for their 
daughters ad^^antages in home anc" sc hool that are rarely com- 
bined, and where attention is given, i. ot only to the education 
and development of the intellect, but also of the moral and 
spiritual parts of our nature. Pupils taking the full work of 
the academic course will be prepared for admission to an}- 
college. Such pupils will be admitted to the Stanford Uni- 
versity upon certificate from Whitaker school, and nc lurther 
examination will be required. 



jRe8oiiFce§ i of f JSJecacla, 



••I— By J. N. EVA N S . — i-^;^ )=C- -' < ♦ 
* 3^?'^ * 

I'N 1864 THE TERRITORY of Nevada was admitted 
into the Union as a State. Political conditions, be- 
cause of the war, were such at the time of its admission 
that it was thought necessar}^ to place upon its people 
the duties and responsibilities of citizens of a State, hence 
Nevada's title, "Battle Born." During the years that have 
intervened since its admission up to the present the people, in 
the face of advere conditions, have bravely maintained the 
relation of Statehood then placed upon them. These condi- 
tions, which have so long held in abe5'ance the development 
of our resources, promise soon to pass away. A combination 
of circumrtances have arisen that proclaim the dawn of a new 
era of marked prosperity for Nevada; notably, with others, 



— 33 — 

the commencement of another line of railroad between San 
Francisco and Ogden, which runs across the State; also the 
incoming- of capital seeking investment in various business 
enterprises. The confidence of our people in the bright pros- 
pects near at hand is shown in the increased business activity 
which ever3-where prevails. A commonwealth possessed of 
the great natural resources which are to be found in Nevada 
cannot, in this age of development, remain dormant for any 
extended period. Many lines of profitable investment are 
open to capitalists, the chief of which may be enumerated as 
lands, mines, mining, agriculture, water storage and stock- 
raising. Business in every department necessary to the exist- 
ence of the people has proved remunerative to those therein 
engaged. While this is true it should also be stated that 
owing to causes which have existed in the past, tending con- 
stantlj' in the direction of depression, the business of the State 
has not been as extensive as its resources warranted. Its 
mines have not been developed, nor has its agricultural area 
expanded, as they necessaril}^ would under more favorable 
conditions. The lack of cheap transportation has hindered the 
working of many valuable silver bearing lodes and the devel- 
opment of others that are prospectively rich. The mineral 
resources of the State, exclusive of silver, are so vast that 
even an approximation of their extent cannot be made, but 
enough is knowm of the number and richness of the metal 
bearing lodes to insure profitable investment for capital. 






llroll^^ AGRICULTURAL resources of Nevada are far 
^yKli o^^^^ter than is generally supposed. Nearly all the 
m^M fruits which grow in the temperate zone, flourish in 
'^ our Valleys and are superior in quality and flavor to 
like fruits grown in many parts of the Pacific Coast. All of 
the cereals give excellent returns and areof a superior quality. 



— 34 — 

The following estimate in bushels of the grains mentioned 
is, perhaps, under the average yield per acre: Wheat, with 
fair culture, 30 bushels; oats 40, and r3'e 35 bushels. Vege- 
tables are of a superior character and fully equal to any raised 
in America. Both soil and climate are well suited to the 
growth and maturit}' of the ordinary- varieties, while the yield 
is all that could be desired. The sugar beet raised in Ne- 
vada shows a higher percentage of sugar producing qualities 
than any grown in other parts of the coast. All of the 
domestic grasses do well and contain a relatively large per- 
centage of nutritive properties. Alfalfa, which thrives won- 
derfull}' is extensively raised for feeding and fattening stock. 
An ox weighing eleven hundred pounds, when fed with 
alfalfa, will gain at the rate of one and one-half pounds per 
daj'. Irrigation is necessary in all parts of the State for the 
production of crops. The water flowing from the eastern 
slope of the Sierra Nevadas is more than sufficient to irrigate 
every foot of the vast tracts of land which are comprised in 
the valleys of Western Nevada, skirting the base of these 
mountains for a distance north and south of more than three 
hundred miles. Some estimate may be formed of the extent 
of territory still arid comprised within this belt, and which 
can be easily reclaimed by the storage and utilization of waters 
now running to waste, when we learn that in the basins of the 
Truckee and Carson rivers alone are to be found two hundred 
and twenty-five thousand acres. These waste lands, through 
irrigation, can be made as highly productive, at a nominal 
cost, as any in the United States. The attention of capitalists 
seeking investments is especially invited to this particular 
department of Nevadas resources, which will be found to war- 
rant both safety and an ample profit to the investor. 



